09 March 2010

Elsie x 2

to say their vows of undying? love?
(note the beloved Blu Blu attends the ceremony)

Passing the Elsie test

ah! the gifts- one can only imagine the loot Elsie collected-

& banished if it did not meet her de Wolfe aesthetic.

"I believe in plenty of optimism and white paint." EdW
(some things One can not paint over.)

Blu-Blu

the couple selecting rings

(note Blu Blu's french high chair)

Holland Taylor recreates the one and only Elsie de Wolfe, and of course,that is, indeed- Mario Buatta posing as Sir Charles Mendl. Elsie was the blushing bride at age 57! or more. (Yes there's HOPE.) The groom was 55, Elsie purported to be a young 57, (at least) according to sources.

Love Match

After All

Elsie with Blu Blu

(and Mendl propping up the fireplace)

"He looks so wonderful against the fireplace." EdW

Holland Taylor studied de Wolfe as all good actresses would and came up with these observations: 'Elsie de Wolfe hated her Looks, so her face is quite guarded.'

Keeping it loose

"In my struggle to lift myself out of the rut of ugliness and mediocrity,

I did everything I could to keep fit."

(this mantra- at age 10, little Elsie swore off candy for life)

Taylor again- "And it's obvious that Elsie really didn't like her hands either. When she wasn't wearing little white gloves, she curled them into the oddest shapes, which only made them look like claws."

(casually known as a husband- I doubt if Elsie came up with that one!)

The Mendl's left Paris, fleeing to the States (Beverly Hills) to sit out World War II. Elsie created a fantasy stage set of a house called After All. She admitted to its impermanence, its temporary chic, knowing Villa Trianon, her dazzling Versailles creation was waiting. She returned and restored the Villa's damages sustained during the War.

Finally giving up her vital lifestyle- for repose, Elsie embarked on her final performance. Cecil Beaton said of Elsie, who held court in bed propped up- wearing evening jackets, organdy, white gloves and diamond bracelets-

" Elsie is certainly prettier- prettier than she has ever been before.

(at long last-After All)

SOURCES:
Spring 2001 issue New York Times Magazine Style and EntertainingThe Power of Style- Annette Tapert and Diana Edkins.

*NOTE: I have not seen these images or story out and about on the internet, if USED-please give the creators proper credit-
.

25 comments:

What fun! True she is transformed in that last real picture, but I almost don't recognize her. There is a sharpness in her eyes before that really expresses her strength - as with NO CANDY at 10!I swore off Coke at 14, but candy? My mother had one of those bed rest cushions with complete with arm rests in the 70s. A "husband" for support?!

Marvelous posting LA, quite divine. Coincidentally, I am working on a short one myself on the lady about a luncheon she had with my great grandfather in Paris during WWI. I was astonished to learn about it while reading her autobiography several years ago...

Elsie de Wolfe was a disciplined modern woman that defied society to judge her. Some of her personal life story would have become fodder for her critics, but I think those detractors were a bit afraid of the gal.

This is one of the best parts about the Internet in general & blogging in particular: the way it can give new life to excellent (and amusing) pieces like this, things that, sadly, might otherwise never see the light of day again. I mean, a hundred bloggers gushing in unison over the same feature in the newest issue of--well, in the old days, it would have been Domino--is great and all, but it's even better to see something fresh, even if that something is almost a decade old. Mitchell Owens is a wonderful writer and I love Mario's playing along. Excellent archaeology, Little Augury.

What a delicious treat. And, I agree about the look in her eyes. A bit of a Cuisinart in them that could shred and turn you into puree in a heartbeat. But I also admire her strength to be what she wanted to be. I don't she would be one to rely on polls, do you?

Home, What a woman she was-as mentioned the Power of Style gives a good synopsis of her life-as it was and as she imagined it to be. She must have been extremely disciplined to give up candy at 10. There is also the story that her teeth were perfect and as a child when she chipped one-her father said- unfortunately her only good feature was gone. Parents-will they ever learn. This brought about a sort of obsession with her lack luster appearance for most of her life- Of course she managed to over come it! pgt

Magnaverde, I so agree with you on this. I loved these stories, some of the best things are still coming from the NY Times magazines special editions.I have many tucked back. I do get exhausted from seeing the same thing rounding the blogs, I may be showing my age-but I am completely uninspired by much of what I see in the design mags these days. If nothing else- I can find inspiring old ones to share. pgt

DownEast, Me thinks you've got something. I do think Elsie loved to sling the white paint on furniture-something I don't think necessary on everything. I love the wood patina and a mix. I am sure whatever the lady meant-it was what SHE MEANT-at the moment! pgt

I absolutely love this! I own a copy of the last photo because of the Cartier Clock on the night stand, it almost eclipses Elsie. Did you read "The one I love the Best" by Bemelmans, it is very droll, the bit about Blu Blu is the best.

Oh my! What a wonderful post! I have been a decorator for 41 years (egads)! I started rearranging the furniture at around 5; and when I was 13 my mother gave me the book; "A House in Good Taste", and said: "This is what you might want to do" !

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My book HOW THEY DECORATED, for Rizzoli, was published in April of 2017. I have been an interior designer for over 30 years & have an abiding passion for the original, & history. Little Augury was born on New Year's Eve 2008. It began as a way of continuing a conversation with a beloved mentor & the promise to keep just a bit of his wit & wisdom alive by sharing it whenever possible. Little Augury focuses on interior design, art, literature, fashion & social history with an eye, always looking back to the past, in hope of understanding what is authentic & what will endure & what connects us to our environment. Always listening for the footstep on the old stair-the sound of lives that walked that way.